It was quite a sight to see three magi entering Jerusalem, with but one purpose:
"Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it
rose and have come to worship him." (Matt 2:2, NIV2)
Everyone in Jerusalem were puzzled. A newborn king? What are they talking about?
Everyone in Jerusalem, and especially King Herod, was disturbed by this news.
King Herod asked where the Messiah would be born. The Bible scholars answered
without any doubt: "'In Bethlehem in Judea,' they replied, 'for this is what the
prophet has written: 'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means
least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will
shepherd my people Israel.'" (Matt 2:5-6, NIV2)
King Herod secretly met with these magi, trying to find out when they saw that
star in heaven. He seemed genuine and interested. He had but one request for
them: "Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to
me, so that I too may go and worship him." (Matt 2:8, NIV2) However, his
intentions were far from doing what was good in the eyes of the Lord. He wanted
to kill that newborn king. He didn't want any competition.
The magi never came back to Jerusalem, for someone Higher than King Herod was
guiding them: "And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they
returned to their country by another route." (Matt 2:12, NIV2) His murderous
intentions were checkmated by the Almighty King of the universe. After all, our
Heavenly Father is in control. Instead of ending in tribulation, it all ended up
in jubilation!
Admiral Wilhelm Canary also lived in tumultuous times. Unlike King Herod, he
wanted to save people persecuted by the Nazis. Being the chief of the German
Intelligence during World War II, his goal was not to support Hitler, but to
defeat Nazism. He had in his possession damaging evidence against Himmler, and
thus, Himmler had no choice but to protect him.
Just like the magi disobeyed Herod, Canaris would do anything to oppose Hitler.
He saved hundreds of Jews, even preventing the killing of captured French
officers in Tunisia.
His best friends were his dogs and his horse. Once he said to an officer named
Schellenberg: "My dogs will never betray me. I can't say that of human beings."
He even plotted against Hitler and eventually he was arrested and hanged.
To the hundreds of Jews and French officers in Tunisia that he saved, however,
he was a hero. He could have hurt the Allies big time; but instead, he wanted
this despotism in Germany to end so that the people woukd be freed from
hardship.
Herod was a murderer; Canaris by contrast, wanted to save people. Are we willing
to save people as well? There are so many among us who don't even know the
liberating message from this new born King, born in Bethlehem. Are we willing to
share with them? There is no better opportunity than during this Christmas
season.
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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